AceShowbiz - Scream 7 has set a new franchise record with $7.8 million in preview earnings, surpassing the $5.7 million preview haul of Scream 6. The latest installment from Paramount and Spyglass is projected to earn between $40 million and $50 million during its opening weekend, with some tracking services suggesting it could exceed those estimates.

This start positions Scream 7 to potentially eclipse the highest opening weekend in the series, currently held by Scream 6, which debuted with $44 million in 2023. The film’s budget of $45 million, increased from $35 million due to a year-long delay, makes a robust box office performance important.

Returning to the franchise is Neve Campbell as Sidney Prescott after her absence from the previous film. In this chapter, Sidney must guide her daughter Tatum, played by Isabel May, through the terror of a new Ghostface killer. Also reprising roles are Courteney Cox as Gale Weathers, alongside Jasmin Savoy Brown and Mason Gooding as Mindy and Chad Meeks-Martin, characters introduced in recent entries. New cast members include Anna Camp, McKenna Grace, Asa Germann, Celeste O’Connor, Joel McHale, Tim Simons, and Jimmy Tatro.

Notably absent from Scream 7 are Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, who portrayed sisters in Scream 5 and Scream 6. Barrera was dismissed following a social media post regarding Israel in late 2023, while Ortega withdrew due to scheduling conflicts with her Netflix series Wednesday. These departures triggered changes behind the scenes.

Director Christopher Landon stepped down after receiving death threats related to Barrera’s firing. Franchise creator Kevin Williamson returned to direct Scream 7 for the first time, also co-writing the script with Guy Busick. The production changes contributed to the film’s delay and budget increase.